Restoration of a Waltham 1857 Antique Pocket Watch - BROADWAY Grade

Restoration of a Waltham model 1857, Broadway grade, 7 Jewel, 18 sized American Antique Pocket Watch.
The Broadway grade, along with the short-lived "Home" grade, was designed by Waltham to hit a low price point of $7 at the time. The watches were unadjusted, not compensated for temperature and they did not offer any warranty for the watch. They didn't even want their company's name on the dial. A pocket watch of this grade would otherwise be relegated to the parts bin, but I'm curious to see how well I can get it running. With only 7 jewels and sporting an uncompensated balance, my expectations were low for this 130+ year old pocket watch. Additional fixes were made in addition to a full strip down, cleaning and reassembly.
I am an amateur who enjoys restoring vintage watches to working order. Constructive critiques of the process are welcome. I am always learning.
Contact info: [e-mail]
Many of my tools I use are affordable. If you're interested in getting started with watch repair and would like to use what I use, I've included some links below. I earn a small commission from Amazon if purchases are made using these links.
Useful Texts:
Watch Repairer's Manual: amzn.to/3knrwdG
Watchmaker's Lathe: amzn.to/3D02WGb
Tools:
Movement Holder (pocket watches): amzn.to/3H9JBUv
Movement Holder (wrist watches): amzn.to/3JeG2iv
Ceramic Tipped Tweezers: amzn.to/3QP1qMH
Finger cots: amzn.to/3CXbXzJ
Micrometer: amzn.to/3QNGN3C and Stand: amzn.to/3iIyF86
Rodico: amzn.to/3kr5RBb
Tweezers: amzn.to/3GNFEVi
10X Loupe: amzn.to/3iLfome
Levers: amzn.to/3XB4RZG
Demagnetizer: amzn.to/3ZINUhS
Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3Xr7gqo
Cleaning:
Mesh Baskets: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Ultrasonic: amzn.to/3wcO7wg
Mason Jars: amzn.to/3WkUfgB
Cleaning Solution: amzn.to/3XwQ16I
Rinsing Solution: amzn.to/3wdgAlA
Cleaning Brushes: amzn.to/3QPnSp8
Lubrication:
Oilers: amzn.to/3Xi8LXR
DX Grease: amzn.to/3ZO0kVU
Moebius 941: amzn.to/3Hf6g2X
Moebius 9010: amzn.to/3CVGM7Y
Moebius D5: amzn.to/3ITqikE
Buffing and Polishing:
PolyWatch: amzn.to/3XlVTja
Polishing Compound: amzn.to/3QQ1r33
Chapters:
0:00 Intro and Disassembly
6:12 Cleaning
6:46 Begin Reassembly
11:58 Beat Error
15:02 Hand Blueing
17:32 Timing and Regulating
19:16 Case Polishing
19:51 Crystal Fitting
20:39 Final Steps and Outro
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Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/

[@jeffreyhickman3871]

I wasn't sure if I liked 🤔 the music to this video at first. It sounded something the longest version of "The Young And The Restless". It turns out that the music 🎶 proves relaxing 😌. It goes perfectly with your video 📹. Your friend, Jeff.

[@oliverw3646]

I have a non working Waltham 1883, 18S, 17J. After watching this superb video, I also want a Waltham Broadway.

[@stevev7402]

I like when you narrate as you work. It’s more informative. For instance I always wondered about those older style balance wheels. Now I know

[@oliverw3646]

Beautiful work! Thank you for treating even a base model watch with the utmost respect.

[@itzhaccroitoru4082]

Your are a very fine worker. Thank

[@LightSweetCrude09]

I just got a remarkably tarnished (the sides and front bezel are opaque matte brown) 1881 watch like this today for forty Canadian dollars in a consignment store. It’s running as is and not too badly, so I’m really happy to have this video for reference. I have quite a lot of pocket watches, but the Broadway is now my oldest one, so I was excited to see it! I’d like to know how accurately your fully serviced specimen is keeping time. 😊

[@dougabrahamsen2952]

And what no one else will recognize is finding a Waltham Broadway with a pristine dial is more rare than the running movement! A Broadway dial with a restored movement is awesome! Great work! Good work on the hands as well.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Doug. I was truly impressed at how well will it ran considering the “bargain basement quality” of the movement with only 7 jewels. Most likely this sat in a drawer and didn’t see a ton of use in its life

[@dougabrahamsen2952]

​@@csspinnerit probably did! The only possible clue to look for would be punching or bushings on the main plate or jeweless bridges.

[@AdamSmith-du1qr]

That's is a truly sympathetic restoration right there. So glad these mini mechanical wonders are being saved for future generations to enjoy. Great work!

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Adam!

[@crashandburngaming5103]

I have several of these 18s 7jewel babies in my collection. Got some good tips when I get to these thanks. Just finishing one up soon. Case was in pretty bad shape but some white Dialux made a world of difference. Cheers.

[@petrikokko1441]

Most people don't realise it is harder to get one of these el cheapos working well than something of higher quality. Well done!

[@csspinner]

Agreed! Thanks

[@glennpearce7093]

Thankyou another great vid 😊

[@ronkeim8315]

I enjoyed this video very much, especially the narration. You do an excellent job of describing what you are doing and why. I also thought it was a great idea to have the part names show in the upper right corner.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Ron. I appreciate the comment!

[@antoniotiberi1569]

Nice work

[@rickkearn7100]

Of all the watch refurbishing YT channels, CS stands out in many ways. The format, especially now with narration, and the informative part name graphics, along with the editing, make these videos a must-watch (pardon the pun) for me. Great content, production, quality and presentation! I'm happy I found this channel. Cheers.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Rick! I really appreciate the comment and I’m glad you enjoy the content. More to come.

[@Large_Sarge]

I love this style of restoration. Keep up the good work. Thank for the content.

[@csspinner]

Thanks for visiting! More to come

[@foreignofficeclub5815]

What a skill and incredible video. Have subscribed and thank you for sharing this!!

[@csspinner]

Thank you! I appreciate the comment

[@Adrian2000ization]

perfect job!

[@alaindrolet_atlt_2019]

Absolutely love this video and restoration. I’m impressed by the nice amplitude ! I restore a Waltham model 1887 18s and your video is a real reference. By the way the final result of this old 1857 Waltham is perfect !! Thank you for sharing, it’s really interesting !

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Alain! I really appreciate that!

[@davisciannidovale2990]

bom dia parabéns gostei muito do relogio do conserto sou aprendiz já sei um pouquinho mas quero ir longe como relojoeiro,adquirir aos poucos as ferramentas...,parabens denovo abraço Deus abençoe toda sua familia.

[@frankthomas855]

That was a beautiful watch hiding in a paperweight!

[@jovankonstantinov4533]

Its Amazing job Bravo

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Jovan!

[@JamyRyals]

Great result, I like the modest polish you applied to the case. It’s amazing how well those enamel dials hold up. I followed your eBay store, hopefully I can get one of your vintage pocket watches for my desk sometime!

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Jamy!!

[@WristwatchMedic1953]

You did a great job on the watch. Thanks for the video

[@csspinner]

Thank you, Darryll!

[@watchrepairworld1203]

You are great 😊😊😊

[@csspinner]

Thank you

[@AlexPerez-nj8gc]

Amazing restoration. I’m a huge fan of the old key winds and you did right by this one! When you use your ultrasonic do you put the L&R solution in the jar with the parts and just water in the cleaner? Thanks and amazing restoration!

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Alex! Yes, the cleaner and parts are in the jar. The plain water surrounding it helps transfer the heat to the jar.

[@jamesrosas3473]

That is amazing! I have a Broadway with a similar serial number that I have been considering trying to overhaul myself. If I do it, this video will be my guide.

[@csspinner]

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

[@jamesrosas3473]

I had to check my serial number. It is 810751 and was manufactured within months of the watch in the video.

[@pablorosales1149]

Your are a very fine worker! Good music as well

[@csspinner]

Thank you very much!

[@alanpreston3111]

Lovely piece of work ….. plus relaxing music 👍🏻. I own a Waltham pocket watch with the wording “Fattorini and Sons Bradford” on the dial , Bradford is where I live in the UK 👍🏻

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Alan. Sounds like you have a nice private label Waltham! And a piece of local history at that

[@Enishidono]

This is absolutely incredible, always loved thinking about the history of these watches. The journey that it has taken since 1857 to get into your hands is a mind-blowing thought. I have a 1914 Hamilton (grade 974 pocket watch) that my mom recently gave me that has been blowing my mind lately. How much would it cost to have you repair it for me? ;) Excellent vid, very helpful as always! Edit - 2:52 Obviously, the previous owner was a lumberjack/wood worker ;)

[@csspinner]

Yea I am amazed by that wood chip! Thanks for the comment. And if you’re serious about that Hamilton, drop me a line :) [e-mail]

[@jdmccorful]

Enjoyed, tremendously!Thanks.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, John!

[@terrybradley8297]

Yup, the Broadway was a cheapie for it's time but it was a watch that an average working man would buy. So it's historical importance is a view into a basic life of that time. How often do we today rely on a very basic concept to allow us a routine. The watch was made before many of the comforts we have today, so life was short many times ... and personal items were a reflection of an individuals experience.

[@thegrassyknoll7792]

In order To unwind the mainspring safely i Secure the Key in a bench vice put the movement on top and now i Can take of the small wheel that secures the power andwhile Holding the movement, and now its down to turning the whole movement around 😊

[@csspinner]

Still sounds like a pain, BUT your method seems safer than mine 😂

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Nice job. Impressive result. Although this pocket watch was cheap for its day, it’s pretty amazing that it still performs. You are probably right that it may not have been used too much. Btw, how much does Old Forester improve your skills?!

[@csspinner]

Thanks! I do enjoy a good bourbon. As with bowling, drinking tends to result in a “bell curve” of effectiveness for me. 😂

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Nice Nicolet at your EBay page.

[@csspinner]

@@SkyBlue-le7cd I usually have things start and end on Sunday. Two more pocket watches will be up tomorrow.

[@SkyBlue-le7cd]

Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.

[@habibaide4468]

Good job 👍❤️

[@csspinner]

Thanks for watching!!

[@paulkuziel7869]

Is that Brian Eno or Harold Budd for the music in this video? BTW Love watching you repair these beauties and keep up the narration. Trying to read the screen while trying to watch what your doing is a pain.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, Paul! I don't remember the artist, but KZbin offers a variety of copyright-safe music to embed in the videos. I'm glad you like the narration vs the text. I was self-conscious about putting my voice out there at first, but now it just feels natural to explain the process as I go.

[@winstonlanda7731]

Bro wtf you are really fucking good. I've been binge watching all your videos. Pocket watches do not get enough love. Please make more videos and SELL ME ONE OF THESE RESTORED POCKET WATCHES.

[@csspinner]

Most of these end up on eBay when I’m done. Follow me “csspinner”. Usually the watch is sold by the time the video comes out though.

[@winstonlanda7731]

@C S Spinner Damn I need one of these working beauties, please look out for @yoxue6

[@csspinner]

@@winstonlanda7731 listings begin and end every Sunday.

[@machinistmikethetinkerer4827]

Chris ya got a real gift for sure. I gotta try that denture cleaning trick. Nice tip! Hey you got an ebay store?

[@csspinner]

I do! It’s @csspinner. Not a ton of action on it these days though!

[@tonyaxeman4381]

I have a watch a lot like this one and it runs too slow . I am going to try and adjust the hair spring to correct it. Thanks for the tips .

[@csspinner]

How did the adjustment go?

[@tonyaxeman4381]

@@csspinner Better than it was thanks .

[@andreporto8315]

Awesome !

[@csspinner]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@user-xp9iv8uq9z]

👍

[@johnhelt5475]

Great work. Was that mainspring quite tired, or was that simply how they were made then? Thanks and keep up the awesome videos.

[@csspinner]

Thanks, John. Sometimes those mainsprings can be tired. Generally, I found poor performance is due to pivot wear/grime and only seldom due to a tired spring. If amplitude is acceptable I generally leave them be

[@norbertzietek]

Just been restoring a waltham pocket watch and the tip with rodico for the pallet fork has saved my insanity 😅 im having trouble with amplitude and its loosing power when in vertical positions, any tips for that?

[@csspinner]

Expect to lose 10-20 degrees of amplitude in vertical positions. That’s normal. If losing too much power in the vertical positions it could mean one of the pivots or jewels is damaged or scored. Also, check the end shake/side shake of the balance- there shouldn’t be that much

[@foxbatmotorsports]

Could the same effect be achieved with Birchwood cold blue?

[@csspinner]

I would think so. The blue is caused by the oxide layer- so it’s possible this can be applied to the surface rather than formed via heat. I have never tried it though

[@foxbatmotorsports]

@@csspinner I use a lot of Birchwood Casey gun blue but never on anything so small.

[@jimmykao3355]

Great video Chris. Curious, for the mainspring, how were you able to just press it in without first lining up the T-end into the hole at the bottom of the barrel? I find it frustrating to line up the T into the little hole, especially in 18s newer mainsprings....

[@csspinner]

I got it real close to the hole and used a pin vice to grab the arbor and engaged the spring to pull it around till it slipped into place. It was awkward to film so I left it out

[@jimmykao3355]

Makes sense. Great restoration work.

[@frankdiscussion2069]

LOL @ 3:11

[@douro20]

Not bad for a watch which was designed to be cheap. The beat rate is a bit odd.

[@bfx8185]

Nice restoration ! Only few notes. Please don't be lazy and use proper screwdriver size for each screw. I would file that excessive solder blob on wheel slightly and replace that corroded dial washer. Otherwise thumbs up ;)

[@csspinner]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@sabbath7081]

Does yours lose amplitude when it's running dial down versus dial up I've acquired and worked on three of these the home model, one turned out to be a donor , both run like crap dial down and run decent dial up, I think it has something to do with the space between the hairspring and the regulator or just excessive balance staff end play.

[@csspinner]

This one ran fine but I know what you’re talking about. Full plate movement balances have very little clearance and even the slightest deformation of the hairspring will cause it to rub.

[@sabbath7081]

@@csspinner thanks for the reply, one of the movements a previous watchmaker actually ground down the top of the regulator where it pops through the plate to get more clearance. I'm trying to be exceedingly careful with what I've got because there's no parts really available out there.

[@Rizzo4120]

Please i need your help with my Waltham 1883 17 jewel pocket watch

[@bigballz2060]

Hi sir what size crystal did you use?

[@csspinner]

I do not remember. Every case is unique. It could’ve been a 20 ligne.

[@bigballz2060]

@@csspinner I need to replace my pocket watches Crystal but I do not know what to do what size glass to get

[@bigballz2060]

The dial is 46 mm so would it be ok to get a 46mm crystal??

[@csspinner]

@@bigballz2060 tenths of a mm matter. If you have a digital caliper, try to measure across at the widest point in the bezel.

[@bigballz2060]

@@csspinner unfortunately I do not have a digital calliper so ill just have to hope for the best, thank you for your guidance

[@dougthatcher3521]

Good work! I could use better lettering quality in your upper right-hand corner,,, the dark blue doesn't always work with your dark gloves and what-not. But thanks!

[@csspinner]

Thanks for that feedback, Doug!

[@romeldphillips3146]

Do you repair watches for subscribers?

[@csspinner]

I have repaired watches for some customers who have reached out from KZbin. If you have a project I’m interested in hearing about it- [e-mail]

[@jerrygaguru]

I am enjoyed the video and you did a great job. The only issue was the background music volume may hard the focus on the video my personal opinion should be three or four octaves below with your voice is not two or three above what your voice is. This is my opinion and like they say, opinions are like derrières and and everybody has one and it doesn’t mean we have to like them all.

[@csspinner]

Thanks. I ultimately came to a similar conclusion and eliminated music nearly entirely in my latest videos

[@jerrygaguru]

@@csspinner I do not mind a soft piano or guitar in the background where you can barely hear it especially when its tempo matches the speed of the work being done. I like watching these at night as I go to sleep, just like I like watching a 3-D printer print as I’m going to sleep.

[@karanaz2008]

For what purpose this device (Multifunction Timegrapher) use?

[@csspinner]

In general, computes the accuracy of the watch based on the sound of the movement. It also displays other metrics like amplitude and beat error.